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by Sunsilver on 17 September 2012 - 02:09
I had Star and Ranger at the dog park on Saturday. There was one young lab that was extremely fast, and would outrun them to retrieve the ball.
Star has a fair turn of speed, too, and is used to being the first one to get the ball, so this was a bit of a change for my guys.
Ranger soon found a way around it. He would bark at the lab, then, if that didn't work, shove him, and put his mouth over the dog's neck. Eventually the lab would get so intimidated that he'd drop the ball and Star would grab it.
After this happened at LEAST 4 times, I figured enough was enough. The lab was okay with Ranger dominating him, but I could tell the owner was getting pretty frustrated at my dogs hogging the ball. So, I went and got the leashes and took my 'tag team' home!
I know the opinion many people on this board have of dog parks, but I live alone, and don't belong to a dog club of any sort, and training classes are darn expensive. So, I take my two to the local park to let them run and chase balls. It also give me a chance to socialize with other dog lovers, and sometimes even get a new client for my kennel.
Last year, Ranger was having a problem with his left hind leg. He'd lost some feeling in it, and was limping. The limp would get worse with exercise, so I had to be very careful with him, and couldn't take him to the park for fear another dog might shove him off balance and make it worse.
By early spring, the leg had improved to the point where the problem was almost not noticeable anymore. He would get a bit sore if he ran a lot, and the left hock joint does seem a bit bigger than the right, so I am guessing at 10 years of age, he's developed a bit of arthritis there. The nerve problem seems to be completely healed.
Last week, I took the dogs with me to Quebec to visit my mom, so when I took them to the park on Thursday, it had been about 10 days since they'd been there.
My geriatric shepherd was SO happy to be back, he was bouncing about 6 inches off the ground with every stride! GAWD, it was beautiful to see!
When I tell people he's 10, their jaws inevitably drop...
One day last week, I came home from a trip to the store to find Star running around outside. She'd been very upset about me leaving her at home, and at first I though she'd maybe slipped out the door unnoticed when I was on my way to the car. Strange, though because she ALWAYS wants to get into the car, and I couldn't understand how I hadn't noticed.
Then, 2 days later, I was doing some work outside, and as I walked past the screen door to the back deck, I saw it being pushed open! I usually leave the inner door open in summer so I can get fresh air in through the screen. Star has obviously figured out how to work the latch. I guess I'll have to start locking the screen door from now on! I usually don't bother locking it because anyone coming through that door would immediately be greeted by two very aggressive-looking GSDs.
Star has a fair turn of speed, too, and is used to being the first one to get the ball, so this was a bit of a change for my guys.
Ranger soon found a way around it. He would bark at the lab, then, if that didn't work, shove him, and put his mouth over the dog's neck. Eventually the lab would get so intimidated that he'd drop the ball and Star would grab it.
After this happened at LEAST 4 times, I figured enough was enough. The lab was okay with Ranger dominating him, but I could tell the owner was getting pretty frustrated at my dogs hogging the ball. So, I went and got the leashes and took my 'tag team' home!
I know the opinion many people on this board have of dog parks, but I live alone, and don't belong to a dog club of any sort, and training classes are darn expensive. So, I take my two to the local park to let them run and chase balls. It also give me a chance to socialize with other dog lovers, and sometimes even get a new client for my kennel.
Last year, Ranger was having a problem with his left hind leg. He'd lost some feeling in it, and was limping. The limp would get worse with exercise, so I had to be very careful with him, and couldn't take him to the park for fear another dog might shove him off balance and make it worse.
By early spring, the leg had improved to the point where the problem was almost not noticeable anymore. He would get a bit sore if he ran a lot, and the left hock joint does seem a bit bigger than the right, so I am guessing at 10 years of age, he's developed a bit of arthritis there. The nerve problem seems to be completely healed.
Last week, I took the dogs with me to Quebec to visit my mom, so when I took them to the park on Thursday, it had been about 10 days since they'd been there.
My geriatric shepherd was SO happy to be back, he was bouncing about 6 inches off the ground with every stride! GAWD, it was beautiful to see!
When I tell people he's 10, their jaws inevitably drop...
One day last week, I came home from a trip to the store to find Star running around outside. She'd been very upset about me leaving her at home, and at first I though she'd maybe slipped out the door unnoticed when I was on my way to the car. Strange, though because she ALWAYS wants to get into the car, and I couldn't understand how I hadn't noticed.
Then, 2 days later, I was doing some work outside, and as I walked past the screen door to the back deck, I saw it being pushed open! I usually leave the inner door open in summer so I can get fresh air in through the screen. Star has obviously figured out how to work the latch. I guess I'll have to start locking the screen door from now on! I usually don't bother locking it because anyone coming through that door would immediately be greeted by two very aggressive-looking GSDs.
by hexe on 17 September 2012 - 03:09
It does not do to underestimate the intelligence, ingenuity and determination of a dog!Glad Star kept herself in her own yard, and didn't venture off on an expedition to find you, though!
by Sunsilver on 17 September 2012 - 03:09
Yes, I'm VERY glad I didn't come home to a dead/injured dog, or one that had been hauled away by animal control! I have 2 acres here, but the road in front of the property is very busy, and I never let the dogs go past the front gate. I don't want them to get used to wandering off the property.
Star has several of the foundation GSDs for the Shiloh shepherd in her ancestry, and the Shilohs have a reputation for being escape artists. One even learned how to work the garage door opener! Another got kicked out of doggie day care, because they couldn't keep her safe. When she heard her owner's voice, she found her way through 4 or 5 closed doors, and out into the front foyer!
Star has several of the foundation GSDs for the Shiloh shepherd in her ancestry, and the Shilohs have a reputation for being escape artists. One even learned how to work the garage door opener! Another got kicked out of doggie day care, because they couldn't keep her safe. When she heard her owner's voice, she found her way through 4 or 5 closed doors, and out into the front foyer!
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